hold in
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive): 1. To restrain or suppress (an emotion, reaction, or impulse): To prevent a feeling or action from being openly expressed or shown. 2. To contain or enclose within limits: To keep something within a confined space or a restricted scope.
Usage and Examples
- To restrain an emotion or reaction:
- It was difficult to hold in my laughter during the serious meeting.
- She managed to hold in her disappointment when she didn't get the promotion.
- To contain or enclose:
- The dam was built to hold in the massive reservoir of water.
- He tried to hold in his stomach when the photo was taken.
Advanced Usage
- "Hold in one's temper/anger": To make a conscious effort not to become angry or show anger.
- Despite the rude comment, he held in his temper and responded politely.
- "Hold in contempt" (Note: This is a fixed legal/phrasal idiom using "hold," not a direct variant of "hold in"): To consider someone or something as unworthy of respect.
- The court held the witness in contempt for refusing to answer.
Variants and Related Words
- Withhold (verb): To refuse to give or grant something that is due or requested (e.g., ). This shares the sense of restraint but is typically applied to objects or information, not emotions.
- Contain (verb): To have or hold within. This is a close synonym for the "enclose" meaning.
- Suppress (verb): To put an end to something by force, or to prevent the expression of a feeling. This is a strong synonym for the "restrain" meaning.
Synonyms
- Restrain
- Suppress
- Contain
- Control
- Check
- Curb
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Hold back: Very similar to "hold in," meaning to hesitate, restrain, or prevent progress.
- She held back her tears. (restrain emotion)
- Fear held him back from applying. (prevent action)
- Hold down: To keep at a low level, or to keep a job.
- The government tried to hold down prices.
- Hold off: To delay or postpone something.
- Let's hold off making a decision until tomorrow.
Related Idioms
- Bite one's tongue: To stop oneself from saying something to avoid trouble or offense. This is an idiomatic way to express "hold in" a comment or criticism.
- I had to bite my tongue during the argument.
- Keep a lid on something: To keep something under control, especially emotions or a secret.
- He struggled to keep a lid on his excitement.
Verb
- hold back; keep from being perceived by others
- She conceals her anger well
- lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
- moderate your alcohol intake
- hold your tongue
- hold your temper
- control your anger
- close in; darkness enclosed him"